They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!
Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, during the War Between The States, in 1864. Major General John Sedgwick, USA, was chiding his staff for ducking the bullets whizzing by, saying "I am ashamed of you, dodging that way. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!" A big man, though a good deal smaller than an elephant, General Sedgwick was struck in the face moments later, and soon died of the wound. The shot is credited to Sergeant E. R. Grace of the 4th Georgia Infantry Regiment, using a British Model 1858 Whitworth rifle fitted with a telescopic sight. Sedgwick was the highest-ranking Federal casualty of the war. Sergeant Grace, an erstwhile turkey hunter, is believed to have been more than 800 yards distant.
They also serve, who only stand and wait.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
John Sukey
By your handle I think you must have served in the artillery;)
'53 to '61 in the U.S.Army Reserve, which is to say, after Korea and before Vietnam. I trained the whole time, with the 11th Airborne, 3rd Armored and 3rd and 80th Infantry Divisions, on M1A1 Pack 75mm, M52 SP 105mm and M114 towed 155mm howitzers. I never fired a shot in anger. I never went overseas.
